(Photo by MyLight Photography)
It was a different game than three weeks ago.
After being outscored 23-6 in three games, the Spruce Kings weren’t able to come out with any points, but made big strides in a 4-1 loss to the Wenatchee Wild.
The American opponents entered the game collecting points in all seven of their games heading in. For all seven contests they had also scored the first goal. The later streak ended on Friday night, as Tavin Grant turned in a marvelous performance especially early on, and Tanner Campbell struck for the first red light of the night.
A point shot from Sam De Melo looking for a tip rippled wide of the net, and bounced off the back wall right to Tanner Campbell. Collecting it on his backhand, Campbell was able to get a shot off that deflected off the back of Anthony Yamnitski and into the cage.
The Spruce Kings would get into some penalty trouble after that, as they made three conseceutive trips to the box. The first time was Cavin Tilsley taking a cross-checking penalty, and the Wild were quick to execute. Dakota Raabe made a give and go with Charlie Combs, and when the entire arena thought Raabe was about to shoot, he passed it off to Matt Baker who snapped home his fourth goal of the season.
The final two penalties would wind up crossing over, and Prince George had to kill some 5-on-3 time, but were able to hold off at the end of the first, and the beginning of the second.
In the middle frame with Adam Burnett in the box for hooking, the Wild would take their first lead of the game. Colin Burston took a pass from Alex Bates, and was able to beat Tavin Grant to make the game 2-1. At the end of frame, Prince George was gifted with a late power play as Kyle Johnson drew a tripping penalty with 37 seconds left. Prince George wouldn’t even the score in the second, but went to the dressing room with plenty of time in the third to work with.
Unfortunately it would be the Wild striking while shorthanded as two Spruce Kings defenders collided creating a two on one for Charlie Combs and Brendan Harris who had a combined 34 points in the first seven games between the pair of them. Harris led the BCHL in assists with 14, while Combs led in goals with nine. That would be how things worked out as the two quickly passed the puck back and forth, with Combs eventually sniped a shot past a diving Grant who didn’t have much of a chance on the play.
Poor luck would strike three minutes later as a turnover led to an odd-man rush with Sam Morton leading the charge. The rookie forward looking for his first BCHL goal made no mistake roofing a shot into the top left corner to give the Wild a comfortable 4-1 lead with over 15 minutes to go in the period.
Both teams would trade chances with Prince George trapping the Wild in their own end for a solid period of time, but couldn’t beat Yamnitsky again who turned away 17 of 18 shots for his fifth win of the year moving his record to 5-0.
The Spruce Kings play again Saturday night as they hunt to hand Wenatchee their first loss of the season. Prince George has now been outscored 27-7 in four games against the Wild.
